Good evening! Thank you very much for joining Sports Mole as the Champions League returns once again. The focus here tonight is on two unbeaten sides as Sporting Lisbon host Chelsea, with both teams looking for their first win in Group G. Although it is only the second match, this one has already taken on great importance, so we should be in for an intriguing encounter at the Estadio Jose Alvalade. Let's start with a look at our hosts...

It has been a strange start to the season for Sporting, who have had a mixed bag of results thus far. They remain unbeaten in all competitions in 2014-15 despite playing fellow Portuguese giants Benfica and Porto already, yet the vast majority of their matches have ended in draws. They have won just two of their seven outings in all, with a whopping five games ending 1-1.

That includes their opening match of their Champions League campaign - the first time they have featured in Europe's premier competition since 2009. They were on the verge of victory and taking an early lead in Group G against Maribor earlier this month, but a late equaliser from Luka Zahovic rescued a point for Maribor and ensured that the spoils were shared. Those two dropped points could prove vital in the grand scheme of things for a Sporting side that will face stiff competition for the top two spots from the likes of Chelsea and Schalke.

It is all square in the group at the moment, however, and Sporting would give their qualification chances a huge boost with victory over the favourites to progress this evening. They come into this match having drawn four of their last five matches, although their most recent outing saw them pick up a decent point against Porto. As I alluded to a little earlier, they have also taken points off Benfica this season, but Chelsea represents another step in class from those domestic giants.

Speaking of domestic issues, Sporting come into this match sitting in a disappointing seventh in the Primera Liga in Portugal, already six points off top-of-the-table Benfica. They are the only team to have taken points off the league leaders so far this season, but in a division that doesn't see the big boys drop many points, and six-point gap is already a big ask to overturn, even at this early stage of the campaign.

While draws against Benfica and Porto are certainly nothing to be ashamed of for Sporting, they have also dropped points to the likes of Academica and Belenenses already this season - both matches that they would have hoped to win. Although they are yet to be beaten, their actual performances have been a little inconsistent, and Marco Silva will know that his side will need to be at their best if they are to come away with maximum points this evening.

Sporting do have a formidable home record to fall back on, however, with just one defeat at the Estadio Jose Alvalade in all competitions since February 2013 - a run of 26 matches. That solitary loss came on the final home game of last season, ruining their chances of going the whole campaign unbeaten in front of their own fans. Despite such an impressive record, though, they haven't exactly been free-scoring at home, with just 13 goals in their last 13 matches at the Estadio Jose Alvalade.

They come into this match having not been beaten at home in a European clash since August 2010, when Brondby triumphed 2-0 in a Europa League playoff. That is a run of 16 matches, during which time they have won 13 and drawn just three. However, they have drawn their last five games in the Champions League and are without a win in seven since beating Basel in December 2008.

As for Chelsea, they also boast an unbeaten record going into this match, but it is fair to say that their start to the season has been far more impressive than that of Sporting. Jose Mourinho's summer signings have hit the ground running, firing the Blues to the top of the early Premier League table, where they hold a three-point lead over second-placed Southampton. They have dropped just two points in domestic action so far this season, with those coming in a draw away to champions Manchester City.

While Sporting are one of three unbeaten teams remaining in the Portuguese league, only two sides are unbeaten in the English top flight this season, while Chelsea are the only Premier League team to still be without a loss in any competition. They have won six of their eight outings, but were unable to pick up maximum points in their opening Champions League match as Schalke came back from a goal down to rescue a 1-1 draw. That is probably Chelsea's most disappointing result of the season so far, so Mourinho will be looking to make amends this evening.

Strangely, it has been Chelsea's defence that has looked like their weak point so far this season - a role reversal from last term. They have already conceded seven goals in their six league games this season, although that has been comfortably cancelled out with a whopping 19 goals at the other end. That, unsurprisingly, is the highest tally in the league, and helped largely by the likes of Diego Costa and Cesc Fabregas making such fast starts to their Chelsea careers.

They come into this match having not lost any of their last seven away games in all competitions stretching back to last season. They have won five matches in that run and, looking solely at this season, have already netted 10 times in their three matches on the road. Their last away defeat in any competition actually came in the Champions League as Paris Saint-Germain won 3-1 in the quarter-final last season, only for the Blues to overturn that deficit in the second leg at Stamford Bridge.

That defeat in Paris is one of a four-match winless streak on the road in the Champions League, with their last victory coming in a 3-0 triumph over Schalke in October of last year. They have drawn two and lost two on their travels since then, while home and away they are without a win in three. Their only victory in their last five Champions League matches was the 2-0 win over PSG that saw them progress into the semi-finals, where they were beaten by Atletico Madrid.

Tonight's match will be an extra-special one for Jose Mourinho, who spent 18 months with Sporting in the early stages of his career. He began his long-standing working relationship with the late, great Bobby Robson in Lisbon in 1992, first acting as his interpreter before switching to his assistant. It was, therefore, Sporting where Mourinho made his first real steps into what has been an incredibly successful coaching career.

Mourinho went on to win the Champions League with Porto in 2004, of course, but he had switched allegiances to the Blues when those two sides met in this competition in December of that year. Porto won 2-1, and that remains Chelsea only defeat in nine meetings with Portuguese opposition. They have won seven of those games, including each of their last six by a one-goal margin. Their most recent match against a team from Portugal saw them beat Benfica 1-0 on their way to Champions League glory in 2012.

TEAM NEWS: Right, the teams are in for both sides, and the main story is that Diego Costa, as expected, starts up front despite his hamstring problems. Mourinho has made two changes to the side that eased past Aston Villa at the weekend, with Filipe Luis and Andre Schurrle replacing Cesar Azpilicueta and Willian. Sporting, meanwhile, include Nani and Carvalho in their starting XI. Full team news for both sides coming right up...

SPORTING STARTING XI: Rui Patricio; Silva, Sarr, Mauricio, Cedric; William Carvalho; Adrien, Mario; Nani, Carrillo, Slimani

SPORTING SUBS: Jefferson, Martins, Montero, Capel, Boeck, Rosell, Oliveira

CHELSEA STARTING XI: Courtois; Ivanovic, Cahill, Terry, Filipe Luis; Fabregas, Matic; Schurrle, Oscar, Hazard; Diego Costa

CHELSEA SUBS: Cech, Zouma, Mikel, Salah, Remy, Willian, Azpilicueta

What can we make of those two starting lineups, then? Well, starting with the hosts, Chelsea will need to keep a close eye on their front three, who have all started to find a bit of form this season. Carrillo is the club's top scorer with three goals to his name, while Slimani has already scored twice this season and enjoyed an impressive World Cup. English fans will be well aware of Nani, who blew hot and cold with Manchester United but has started well at Sporting. He scored their goal in the draw with Maribor, so will be looking to make it two from two in the Champions League tonight.

In midfield, their is a place for the highly-rated William Carvalho, who was heavily linked with a move to the Premier League in the summer. Manchester United and Arsenal were both thought to be interested in the player, but in the end nothing materialised. He enjoys a growing reputation in Portugal, although his chances with the national team at this summer's World Cup were limited. He has another chance to impress on a big stage tonight, though, and could even be treating the match as something of a shop window.

Their defence comes into this match on the back of contrasting fortunes, with Silva having scored his side's goal to give them the lead against Porto on Friday. However, Sarr turned the ball into his own net later in that match to ensure that the spoils were shared, giving Sporting a fifth 1-1 draw of the season already. They certainly aren't conceding a shedload of goals, but a few more clean sheets wouldn't go amiss for tonight's hosts.

Clean sheets have also been something of a problem for Chelsea so far this season, despite a wealth of talent at the back. Courtois has returned to the club having reached the final of this competition with Atletico last season. He has displaced Cech in the side and, although there have been plenty of goals conceded already, he has impressed since returning from his lengthy loan spell. In front of him, Terry will make his 100th Champions League appearances, while Luis also comes into the side having joined Courtois as part of that Atletico side that reached the final last term.

There has been a star at the other end of the pitch this season, but arguably Chelsea's most impressive performer so far this season has been Fabregas. The former Barcelona man is already looking like a steal at £30m, bringing an element of craft, poise and class to the midfield that was missing at times for Chelsea next season. He once again partners Matic in midfield tonight, with the Serbian fast becoming one of the first names on Jose Mourinho's team sheet. He is something of an unsung hero for the Blues, but he is playing a big part in their current good form.

The three behind the striker provide yet more creativity and goal threat, with Schurrle coming in to replace Willian tonight despite the Brazilian impressing during the win over Villa at the weekend. Schurrle played a big part in Germany's World Cup win during the summer and has started the current campaign in good form too. Oscar came back into the side for last week's League Cup clash and scored, while he also found the net against Villa. Hazard is arguably the most dangerous of the three, however, with the Belgian almost unstoppable when he gets in full flow.

It is Diego Costa who has stolen all of the headlines so far this season, though, with eight goals in six league matches so far. He sat out the draw against Schalke but has been included tonight despite lingering concerns over his fitness. It says a lot that Mourinho deems him too important to rest right now despite him struggling with a hamstring injury, and he will be hoping to get through this one unscathed as well with Arsenal lying in wait at the weekend.

PREDICTION: We're 10 minutes from kickoff in Lisbon, which means that it is match prediction time! Despite both sides being unbeaten this season, Chelsea undoubtedly come into the match in better form. The Blues also have the better players at their disposal, but face a Sporting side who are formidable at home. Even so, Chelsea really could do with a win having dropped two home points against Schalke last time out, and Mourinho knows how to get victories from matches like this. I'll go for 2-0 to the Blues.

This match actually provides a little slice of history as these two teams have never played each other before. Chelsea do have a fair amount of recent experience playing in Portugal, however, while Sporting know what it is like to come up against and beat Premier League opposition. They have won their last three home games against teams from England without conceding, the most recent of which saw them overcome Man City 1-0 in the quarter-finals of the Europa League in 2012.

The referee tonight is Antonio Mateu from Spain, and neither side need worry about his experience dealing with tricky games. He took charge of the Copa del Rey final between Barcelona and Real Madrid last season, while also overseeing the Madrid derby earlier in this campaign. He does tend to be a little card-happy, but that no doubt has something to do with the niggly nature of such matches.

There are plenty more Champions League matches taking place tonight, and Sports Mole has them covered for you. Just click on the match to the right to follow live coverage, while I will also be keeping you up to date with major events from around the continent as and when they happen.

The teams emerge from the tunnel to the inimitable Champions League anthem, and there is a fine atmosphere inside this stadium. This is Sporting's first home match in the Champions League for five years, so it has been a long wait for the club.

KICKOFF: The hosts get us underway in Lisbon as they look to maintain their unbeaten start to the season and end Chelsea's own streak in the process. Can they do it, or will it be a triumphant return to Sporting for Mourinho?

CHANCE! Huge chance for Chelsea to take the lead inside two minutes! Costa beats the offside trap to race right through on goal but, with only the keeper to beat, he sees his shot very well saved. That is a glorious opportunity for the striker!

CHANCE! Another opening from the resulting corner as the ball travels all the way through to Cahill from a corner. However, it seems to take the centre-back by surprise and he can't react in time to turn it on target.

Chelsea knocked the ball about very coolly early on before bursting into life with those two chances in quick succession. They really should be ahead already, and Sporting need to settle things down quickly now.

This match has started at a really good pace, with both sides putting in a number of strong, but fair, challenges. Sporting look think at the back whenever Chelsea win it back, and at this early stage it looks like Costa could get a fair amount of joy this evening.

Sporting come forward this time as the ball falls kindly for Silva on the left flank. He tries a first-time low ball in towards Slimani, but it is too close to Courtois, who collects comfortably.

This one has been fiercely contested in midfield so far, with both sides making promising breaks forward having won the ball back. Chelsea in particular are getting a lot of joy as Sporting's defence is not getting as much protection as they should be.

Good defensive work from Oscar as he intercepts a Carrillo touch back to the edge of the box. Carrillo and Nani have already switched wings in this match, and it seems to have helped Sporting so far.

After a lively start to the match, this one has just settled down in the last couple of minutes. Sporting are still looking a little shaky in defence when Chelsea run at them, but they are not having as many problems as they will in the opening exchanges.

CHANCE! Another huge chance for Chelsea to break the deadlock! Costa slides a clever reverse pass into the box for Schurrle, who reaches the ball just before the keeper. His first touch takes him past Patricio, but the keeper recovers in time to make an impressive save. He has kept this game goalless so far!

Another corner causes problems for Sporting as Cahill rises high to reach it. He can't get any power on his header, but it drops into a dangerous area and, after a mini scramble, the offside flag saves the day for Sporting.

Decent spell of possession for Sporting as they look to settle in this match. They haven't quite managed that yet, with Chelsea on top so far.

CHANCE! The hosts have their clearest chance of the match so far, and Slimani really should do better! Silva whips a fine delivery in from the left wing and Slimani nips in between Terry and Luis. He gets his head to the ball, but his effort lacks power as it bounces towards the top corner, making it easy for Courtois.

SAVES! Chelsea come forward and have acres of space on the right to pick out a cross. It is Schurrle who meets the delivery with a header from just inside the box, but it is easy for Patricio. The Sporting keeper is tested a little more shortly afterwards, again by Schurrle, whose low effort from just outside the box is saved.

CHANCE! Oh my word, how many chances do Chelsea need?! They squander another sitter here as Sporting once again escape. Hazard races into yet more space on the right wing before cutting the ball back perfectly for Schurrle. The German has a simple finish to break the deadlock, but somehow puts his effort wide of the target. How on earth are Mourinho's men not ahead here?!

Superb challenge from Mauricio as he commits himself to slide in on Costa. He needed to make that challenge as the striker would have been through on goal yet again had he not made it.

YELLOW CARD! The first card of the night goes to Carvalho for a cynical tug on Hazard, who was once again threaten to break through.

Sporting simply can't handle Costa's movement at the moment, while they are struggling to get to grips with Hazard as well. Chelsea should be at least two goals to the good already, not if things carry on like this then it will surely only be a matter of time before they break the deadlock.

Decent opening for the hosts as the ball is slipped through to Carrillo, but with a couple of yards on Ivanovic he chooses to cut back onto his right foot, allowing the Chelsea man to get a foot in. He would have been better off taking that on his left there.

The visitors are in complete control right now. Sporting are trying their hardest to pressure the Chelsea players in possession, but they have been cool enough to deal with it so far and are taking advantage of the extra space behind the midfield as a result.

Quick break from Sporting as Fabregas finds Hazard, who in turn slides a pass through to Schurrle. The German has Costa arriving at the back post, but Adrien Silva tracks back really well to block the cross.

Chelsea finally have their breakthrough! Hazard wins a free kick on the left, and from that moment it is all too easy. Fabregas sends his cross towards the back post, where Matic is completely unmarked to loop a header over the keeper and in. What a moment for the former Benfica man, who has finally given the visitors the lead they deserve.

It may only be 1-0, but it hard to see any way back into this one for Sporting. They will need to improve a lot if they are to get anything out of this one now as, so far, they have been comfortably second best.

SHOT! The hosts look to do just that as Slimani collects a low cross with his back to goal. Adrien Silva is screaming for it on the edge of the box, but the striker opts to go for goal himself, shooting on the turn and dragging a rather tame effort a few yards wide.

Really good play again from Chelsea as Oscar and Hazard swarm around Carvalho to win the ball back in a dangerous position. The Brazilian wins it back before sliding it through the legs of a defender to Hazard, but his low cross is dealt with.

Brilliant play from Matic as he wins the ball back and then immediately bursts forward to get on the end of a pass inside. He in turn slips it to Schurrle, but the German has just strayed offside and is denied another great chance by the flag.

The home fans want a penalty, but it is an optimistic shout from the supporters. Adrien Silva is invited to shoot from just outside the box, but his effort is blocked by Cahill. It hits him in the stomach, but that does stop Sporting claiming a handball. The referee pays it no heed, though.

YELLOW CARD! Joao Mario goes into the book for Sporting, although it is not completely clear why. He may have said a word out of place to the referee following that tenuous penalty appeal.

SAVE! Carvalho picks the ball up around 30 yards from goal, and he only has one thought on his mind. He fires a low effort towards goal, but it has to be something special to beat Courtois from there. The keeper gets across to make a comfortable stop.

Well, what a dominant half that was for Chelsea. They go into the break with a one-goal lead, but it has been one-way traffic so far and they really should be further ahead. If the second half follows a similar pattern then it is hard to see Chelsea not running out comfortable winners here in Lisbon, they just need to be a little more clinical in the final third. That has been the only down side to their performance so far.

The goal came from an unlikely source as Nemanja Matic rose at the far post to steer a header over the keeper and in. It was Fabregas who supplied the delivery, although the defending from Sporting left a lot to be desired. In truth, the defence has been poor all night so far for Sporting, who have allowed Chelsea a lot of space in the final third.

Costa should have given the visitors the lead inside two minutes when he was played through on goal by a simple Oscar pass. The striker only had the keeper to beat as he raced through, but Rui Patricio stood up well and made a very good save to keep the scores goalless.

Andre Schurrle has also had a couple of glorious chances to get on the scoresheet, the first of which came in the 15th minute. Costa slid a clever pass in to the German, who had made a good run behind the defence. He reached the ball before the keeper and knocked it past him, but Patricio recovered and got down really well to save the subsequent shot. Just seven minutes later Schurrle had an even better opening having latched on to Hazard's cut-back, but his time he put his shot wide when he simply had to score.

It really has been all Chelsea so far, with Jose Mourinho's men dominating in all areas of the field. Sporting's only hint of a threatening moment in the final third came in the 20th minute when Silva's cross found Slimani unmarked, but the striker's header was tame and easy for Courtois. Carvalho had a long-range effort late on that was easily dealt with by the keeper but, other than that, it has been a comfortable evening for the Chelsea defence so far.

It has been quite surprising how much Chelsea have dominated against a team with such a formidable home record. The home fans were making their frustrations known towards the end of that first half - although a lot of their ire was directed at the referee in that case. It is a young team that Marco Silva has at his disposal, and they are being taught a lesson by the experience of Chelsea at the moment.

KICKOFF: Chelsea get us back underway for this second half, and a repeat of that first 45 minutes will do them just fine. Can they kill the game off or will Sporting respond?

SHOT! It may take something special for Sporting to get a way back into this match, and Nani looks to provide it. He is afforded a little room almost 30 yards from goal and sends a swerving effort towards the far corner that briefly has Courtois worried. However, the ball swings away from goal and ends up a few yards wide.

Sporting break quickly down the left as Nani races free from the shackles of Ivanovic. He cuts inside onto his right foot before back-heeling the ball towards the man he sees making a run behind him. However, he turns round to see that the man he thought was his teammate is in fact the referee! As a result, the attack breaks down.

This is much better from Sporting as they begin to show a little more attacking intent on the break. Nani again races clear on the right and tries to take Luis on, but the Chelsea man blocks the winger off. The referee doesn't give Nani the free kick, however, which does nothing to increase his popularity inside this stadium. That was the wrong call.

At the other end, Costa finds himself in a bit of space inside the box, but Mauricio recovers really well to make a vital block. Sporting have certainly improved in an attacking sense since the break, but they still look susceptible at the back.

CHANCE! Another glorious one-on-one chance for Chelsea as Oscar beats the offside trap with alarming ease. He has time and space to choose his way past Patricio, but once again the keeper makes a huge save to deny the visitors. That was yet another sitter for Chelsea!

CHANCE! Big chance for the hosts at the other end! The ball breaks fortuitously to Nani at the back post but, with the angle against him, he can only find the side-netting. That would have been a real smash and grab job had he slid that one inside the near post.

Nervy moments from Chelsea as Cahill, Terry and Ivanovic all fail to clear the ball when they have the chance. The latter sees his header fall straight to Adrien Silva, but he rushes his volley and sends it off target.

CHELSEA SUB: The visitors make their first change of the night as Schurrle makes way to be replaced by Willian.

YELLOW CARD! Carrillo plays a one=two with Slimani and bursts through the middle, forcing Ivanovic to trip him as he threatened to race through on goal. There is a question whether he had cover there, which could have meant a red card, but I think the referee just got it right.

Nani lines up the resulting free kick for the hosts, but his effort is really disappointing as he fires it straight into the wall.

YELLOW CARD! Chelsea quickly break down the other end, with Costa racing through. Mauricio is the only man separating him from the keeper, and he opts for the cynical way of dealing with the striker by stepping across his path and tripping him. That was a big collision, and Mauricio has come off worst. He may not be able to continue here. Whatever happens, there is a yellow card awaiting him.

SPORTING SUB: Indeed, Mauricio is stretchered off to be replaced by Paulo Oliveira. As expected, the referee shows him a yellow to add insult to injury.

Sporting look to break forward quickly from a corner, but Oscar has carried out his defensive duties well to make a vital interception on Carrillo. The Chelsea midfielder has tracked back very well at times tonight.

Sporting again claim for a penalty as Fabregas sides in on Carrillo inside the box. On first glance it looks like a very good challenge, but the replay shows that it may well have been given as a spot kick. All of the players seemed to stop afterwards as if they thought the whistle was about to go, so perhaps Fabregas got away with one there.

Fabregas floats a nice pass out to Willian on the right flank, and the sub lines Silva up before creating space to cross. His low ball in tests Sarr, who manages to turn it behind for a corner.

CHELSEA SUB: Another change for the visitors as Oscar makes way to be replaced by John Obi Mikel. Mourinho is just trying to tighten things up in midfield now.

YELLOW CARD! Hazard has been on the receiving end of plenty of fouls this evening, but he goes into the book himself here for a cynical trip on Nani.

Adrien Silva picks up the ball in midfield and powers past the challenge of Mikel before lining up another shot. He is slightly off balance when hitting it, however, and his effort goes high and wide of the target.

YELLOW CARD! Cedric becomes the latest player in the book, and he can have no complaints having slid in rashly on Hazard.

YELLOW CARD! He is quickly followed into the book by Luis, who fouled Nani as the winger looked to spin away from the Chelsea man.

The complexion of this match has changed in this second half, and Chelsea's 1-0 lead does not seem as safe now as it did at half time. Sporting have threatened a lot more since the interval, and they will feel that they are still very much in this one. Chelsea would only have themselves to blame if they don't win this game as they have wasted three or four glorious openings.

SHOT! Mikel doesn't score many, but he may have been thinking of Phil Jagielka when he lined this one up. A cross from the right is cleared only as far as the edge of the box, where the midfield is waiting. He goes for a first-time half-volley, but that is where the similarities with Jagielka end. Mikel blazes his strike a long, long way over the top.

CHANCE! Far too easy for Costa as he once again gets in behind the Sporting defence. Sarr is playing catch-up as Costa lines up his shot from the right side of the box, but the striker can only blast his effort into the side-netting.

SPORTING SUBS: Double change for the hosts as Diego Capel and Fredy Montero replace Carrillo and Adrien Silva for the final 10 minutes or so.

SHOT! Nani has had a few shots from distance tonight, but he is yet to really test Courtois. The same is true here as he drags a rather tame effort well wide of the mark from around 30 yards. A waste of a decent attacking position.

Superb play from Matic as he spins on the ball and plays an incredible reverse pass through towards Costa. None of the defenders have read it, but Patricio has and he is quickly out to put in a vital challenge on the striker. He has kept his side in this match tonight.

CHELSEA SUB: Mourinho makes his third and final change of the night as Mohamed Salah replaces Hazard. Another 90 minutes for Costa despite his fitness concerns, then.

CHANCE! Another really good chance for Chelsea as Willian slips the ball through for Luis down the left channel. The defender has a clear shot at goal, but drags his effort wide of the far post, with two Chelsea players close to getting a touch.

CLOSE! Almost an equaliser for the hosts as Nani picks the ball up on the right and cuts inside onto his left foot. He directs a powerful effort towards the far top corner, but his effort moves narrowly wide of the target. That was not far away at all.

Time is running out for the hosts, but they are getting closer. They have been much better in this second half, but it would be a fortunate point if they can find an equaliser in the closing stages.

CLOSE! Sporting are close again to getting a dramatic leveller. This time it is Montero who threatens, flicking a good header just wide of the near post. Chelsea will kick themselves if they let this one slip.

Silly from Cedric as he has a few players waiting in front of him, yet he chooses to go for goal from all of 40 yards out. He actually hits it quite well, but he is never going to beat Courtois from there and, sure enough the keeper makes the save.

CHANCE! Another massive chance for Chelsea to kill this game off. Fabregas slid the ball through brilliant for Salah, who held off one challenge but once again could not beat Rui Patricio, who has made some huge saves for his side tonight.

YELLOW CARD! Fabregas is the latest name in the book as we move into the final minute of four minutes added time.

The referee brings an end to proceedings in Lisbon, and it is Chelsea who come away with the three points - although that only tells half of the story. Jose Mourinho's side missed a host of glorious chances to add to their lead, and were almost pegged back by an improved Sporting side in the latter stages. It was by no the most perfect performance, but Chelsea do get the victory and more top of Group G as a result.

The only goal of the game from from former Benfica player Nemanja Matic, who was superb in the middle of the park all night. He was helped largely by poor defending for his goal, however, as Silva lost him at the back post, allowing him to get up and nod beyond the keeper. Patricio may have done a little better, but he more than made up for it with a string of vital saves to keep the score down.

Right, that is all we have time for this evening! Thank you very much for joining Sports Mole for an action-packed match as Jose Mourinho wins on his return to Sporting. Matic got the only goal in a 1-0 victory that sends Chelsea to the top of the group. I will leave you with our match report, and be sure to stick around for reaction, analysis and ratings, all of which will be on site shortly. From me, though, it is goodbye for now!